Nina, a blind dog adopted by The Woodlands resident Larry Alton, walks through Cattail Park. She became blind as a side effect of Distemper invading her retinas.

Nina, a blind dog adopted by The Woodlands resident Larry Alton, walks through Cattail Park. She became blind as a side effect of Distemper invading her retinas.

Photo: Michael Minasi

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Graham, who was born blind, was adopted by The Woodlands resident Larry Alton. He plays a game of fetch at Cattail Park by listening for the ball.

Graham, who was born blind, was adopted by The Woodlands resident Larry Alton. He plays a game of fetch at Cattail Park by listening for the ball.

Photo: Michael Minasi

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Woodlands man offers hope, love for blind rescue dogs

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On a sunny day at Cattail Park in The Woodlands, about a dozen dogs roam around while their owners standby. It’s not apparent to most, but four of the dogs are blind.

Nina, Graham, Lili and River belong to The Woodlands resident Larry Alton who has been fostering blind dogs in need of homes for about four years.

“They’re okay,” Alton said. “They’re a little bit harder. It’s important to pay attention, but they can be like normal dogs.”

“I wish people didn't feel sorry for them,” Montgomery County Animal Shelter employee Karen Onstott said. “They are normal dogs who run and play and have fun. They adapt to their surroundings and situations.”

Alton adopted Nina and Graham, and the two dogs are pretty different when it comes to personality. While both are smart, friendly and lovable, Graham is a little less cautious than Nina.

Since Graham was born blind, he is less afraid to run around in open spaces, regardless of what obstacles might pop up in his path.

“(It’s) to the point that it’s almost dangerous sometimes,” he said. “They could run off a balcony. You have to block things off.”

Nina, on the other hand, is very careful. She stays in tune with her surroundings by monitoring the change in terrain under her paws.

When Nina was about three years old, she became sick with distemper, and eventually her retinas were destroyed. Since she knew what it was like to have sight, it’s a little harder for her to adjust.

“If they’re born without eyes, they do better because they have no idea,” Alton said.

Nina was originally one of Alton’s foster dogs, but she had such a hard time adjusting to a new home after becoming accustomed to his that he ended up adopting her.

“Some of them, especially those that lose their sight later, have a harder time adjusting (to a new home),” Alton said.

Onstott and her husband Robert also foster blind dogs. They’re currently fostering a poodle and they have adopted Zeus, an American Bulldog.

“He goes on adventures with our Labrador retriever Marley who is his eyes,” Onstott said. “We call her his seeing-eye dog, as she keeps him safe. He knows his way around our house and property and is very routine oriented. His barks all mean something different.”

Onstott began fostering before she started working for MCAS, and has been an employee there now for a little over three years.

“Larry, myself or another staff member will usually evaluate them,” Onstott said. “The dogs are usually easily recognizable as they will bump into things or their eyes just look different. Blind dogs also usually prance using their front paws to feel what is coming next. They also use their nose more. Their ears are used too.”

Lili and River are two blinds dogs that Alton currently fosters. Lili is a mixed puppy who was turned into the Montgomery County Animal Shelter when her owners felt they were not equipped to handle a blind dog.

While there are some things that make blind dogs a little different, Alton stresses the importance of knowing that for the most part, they function just like dogs who are able to see. They learn to be housebroken just like other dogs, which is possibly the most challenging part of having a puppy.

“They really are regular dogs,” Onstott said. “They can do all things seeing dogs do. Zeus chases his squeaky toys and listens where they land. Zeus goes to doggie daycare and plays with other dogs. He meets all our foster dogs and is gentle with them. Dogs being blind is not a disability.”

“If we had more people who weren’t afraid of them, we could have the blind dogs covered, no problem,” Alton added.

Alton works long days, so caring for his dogs leaves little time for anything else. When he fosters dogs it can take up to a year sometimes for them to be placed in permanent homes.

To learn more about volunteering, adopting and fostering MCAS animals, visit mcaspets.org.

Keep up with Alton’s dogs, Graham and Nina by liking their Facebook page at facebook.com/Nina-and-Graham-221036211369982/?fref=ts.